You’ve Been to Cancun, But Have You Been to the Island of Women?

Plus 5 reasons why we like this island more than Cancun

For years Cancun has been a top location for tourists all over the world to enjoy the libations of Mexico in an extreme and over the top fashion. Everyone should experience it once, but there are other places just a short drive or boat ride away that I think are better overall vacation destinations. Let me tell you why Isla Mujeres is a better getaway than Cancun

Brittni Naylor enjoying the waters of Isla Mujeres

Isla Mujeres is Spanish for Island of Women. Why you ask? Let me give you a quick breakdown. 1500 years ago the island was inhabited by the Mayans and the island served as a sanctuary for the goddess named Ixchel. Ixchel was the goddess of the moon, medicine, happiness, and fertility. Fast forward to the year 1517. The island was discovered by a Spanish explorer. The only inhabitants were the priestess of Ixchel and her court of… you guessed it, WOMEN. There were statues of Ixchel made of gold and silver. The Spanish explorer did what anyone of us would do. He named the island Isla Mujeres. The Island of Women.

Now that that’s taken care of that, let’s get back to this magnificent hidden gem. Once landing in Cancun, visitors can take a 20 minute boat ride to reach the island. When you arrive to the island you immediately notice the main form of transportation is golf carts. Isla Mujeres is only 4 miles long and about 2000 feet wide. The easiest way to explore the island is in golf carts that can be rented for hours or a full day. It’s a different feel than Cancun or Playa del Carmen. Isla Mujeres is a bit slower. The vibe is slightly chill, but don’t think that keeps people from turning up. It’s more to Isla Mujeres than golf carts and partying.  

Why we enjoy Isla Mujeres more than Cancun

1.    The Beaches are better! The island has amazing beaches which feature white sand and vibrant blue waters. Seaweed can be a big problem in Cancun and Tulum, but Isla Mujeres seems to avoid that problem.

2.    Great fresh food. The island is full of local fishermen. That means restaurant menus are filled with fresh seafood dishes featuring fish and lobsters that were literally caught the same day. 

3.    Diving and Snorkeling. Swim with whale sharks or dive at The Museo Subacuatico de Arte. This is one of the largest underwater attractions in the world. There are over 500 sculptures of people, cars, and even underwater angels that are all over the seabed. They are at a depth of about 8-10 feet, which makes it a great place for scuba beginners or good snorkelers. 

4.    Local dive bars and restaurants. If you ever want to really experience a culture you must do as the locals do. The island has plenty of small eateries and even some bars to hang out at until the early hours of the morning. It’s a more grown-up version of Cancun in this respect. 

5.    Mayan ruins. Yes, you read that correctly. You don’t have to leave the island and you can still brag to your friends that you visited Mayan ruins while on vacation. 

The best part about everything that I mentioned on this list is that it can all be done in one day if need be. Remember, the island is only 4 miles long. Getting from place to place is a breeze, but you shouldn’t rush. There are small boutique hotels as well as large brand resorts on the island. This provides everyone with options. Book a nice hotel/resort, relax, and explore it at your pace. Once you visit Isla Mujeres you’ll never think about Cancun the same way.